Senior Public Rights of Way Officer - Yate

As a Senior Public Rights of Way (PROW) Officer, you will manage a range of projects and programmes within the relevant legislative framework, covering the maintenance and enforcement of a 1,264km network of public paths and associated infrastructure. Leading on the maintenance of legal records and orders, you will prepare and present reports to committee, as well as deliver technical advice to all stakeholders, supporting the delivery of a high-quality PROW network across the area.

Managing service requests and the conflicting demands of a busy workload, you will lead the team in delivering effective solutions and advice. This will include oversight of the dedicated PROW Ranger, volunteer work parties and operational teams supporting larger projects. You will provide timely responses to planning proposals, ensuring the best outcomes for the network as it evolves through development. You will also meet reporting deadlines, deliver technical advice and provide training on the legal aspects of the service.

It will be your responsibility to manage both revenue and capital budgets, ensuring best value for money, and lead on negotiations and liaison with a wide range of stakeholders. Overseeing compliance across the PROW asset, and balancing a range of constraints such as impacts on the natural and built environment, you will ensure best practice is followed and that activities align with current protocols and case law. You will take the lead on enforcement matters across the network, while also supporting PROW officers on maintenance, enforcement and planning issues. Managing a range of larger projects, including the emerging England Coast Path, you will work with partners and stakeholders to deliver high-quality outcomes.

We require you to hold a relevant degree applicable to highways, networks or infrastructure, a post graduate qualification or have considerable equivalent relevant experience. It is essential that you have membership of an appropriate professional body such as the Institute of Public Rights of Way and Access Management (IPROW). You will have relevant practical experience, with a proven ability to manage and deliver technical services, including responsibility for service budgets. It is key that you can demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the legislative framework relating to PROW. Given the nature of this role, you will also have experience in using in-house software and specialist systems to effectively manage workloads and service delivery. With excellent verbal communication skills, you will have experience in negotiation, handling challenging conversations and problem solving. It would be desirable for you to hold an NVQ Level 4 management qualification or have relevant managerial experience.

Please note that due to the nature of this role it is a requirement of employment that a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is obtained for this post. You will be required to travel to a range of locations throughout South Gloucestershire, so you must hold a full valid driving licence and have access to a car or alternative means of travel.

We know our team work best when they have balance in their lives, and we offer genuine flexibility to help them achieve that work/life balance. What’s special here is the strength of the team ethos, the support and the training. We recognise that our diverse team of skilled and dedicated people make us a great place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and developed on the basis of their merits and abilities. Our teams at South Gloucestershire Council are making a real difference to the lives of people who live, work and learn here. We're building and shaping communities which people are proud of. We're planning for the future; building and improving the roads, railways, schools, green spaces, and houses. We're providing essential services across our communities to ensure they are safe and well maintained. We've achieved a great deal, but we need talented and dedicated people to ensure we continue to make a difference. We're making a difference be part of it!